6 ways the military is stuck in the 1950’s (and 4 ways it isn’t)

05/19/2017 08:00 EDT

By Lizann Lightfoot

There’s a saying in the military community that military culture is stuck in the 1950’s.

In the post-World War II era, service members returned home, married their sweethearts, and started the Baby Boomer generation. TV shows like I Love Lucy and Leave it to Beaver portrayed a family ideal where the man went off to work in a suit and returned home in time for dinner, while the woman stayed home vacuuming and wearing pearls. Popular fashion items were poodle skirts and tight sweaters. Couples danced to music by Elvis, Frank Sinatra, or Nat King Cole.

Does that sound anything like modern military life? Let’s discuss. . .

1. Spouses are assumed to be wives

Even though married female service members make up approximately 10 percent of the military, the military does little to acknowledge the existence of the male military spouse community or the LGBT community. Both groups remain invisible and often ignored. There aren’t many resources for single service members, either. When unit events proclaim, “Welcome, ladies!” with pink, flowery decorations or recommend shopping and a spa day as the solution for deployment stress, it’s no wonder that male spouses complain about the military being stuck in the 1950’s.

2. Wives are expected to stay home and keep house

The military still operates under the old-fashioned theory that every married service member has an unemployed spouse who can stay home, take care of the house and children, and volunteer for social events like a wives’ tea or an annual fundraiser gala. A “good military wife” is held up as someone who bakes cookies for new neighbors and can set a fine table when entertaining officers. She “knows her place” and won’t do anything unacceptable that might get her service member in trouble. This one-sided relationship can lead to abuse, whether it is verbal, physical, or financial control from the service member.

3. Rank structure

In military culture, the service member’s rank still dictates the spouse’s access to base benefits, and, in some cases, determines their role in the FRG community. Rank is used to assign housing communities and some spouses use rank to determine friends. Enlisted members address all officers as “sir,” even those younger and less experienced than they are. This can sometimes feel more like 1950’s England than America.

4. “Traditional” marriage is required

The military still requires couples to follow a traditional timeline of dating, marriage, moving in together, then having babies. Modern civilian couples can do these activities in any order. They can even skip the wedding entirely if they choose. But the military will not let families move into base housing or have a baby at the base hospital without an official marriage certificate.

5. Housing hasn’t changed much since the 1950’s

While we’re discussing base housing. . . yeah, it’s dated. Since the construction boom on military bases in the 1950’s and 1960’s, many buildings have undergone very few updates. Garages are small, bedrooms are small, and yeah–kitchens are small, too. If couples can afford to live off-base, they typically prefer to because of the extra space and amenities in off-base homes.

6. There is a dress code for spouses

Yes, the military tells spouses how to dress. On base, there is a dress code that can get you kicked out of certain buildings if you don’t comply. There are actually spouse training academies that lecture wives on dress code and etiquette. Women are often expected to attend military formations, promotions, and public ceremonies in dresses and heels.

But it’s not all the 1950’s…

Spouses can have their own careers

Military spouses no longer face strict expectations about ending their careers before marriage. About half of military spouses are employed, and many of them have become entrepreneurs and started their own business. Others are licensed professionals who pursue their own career goals alongside their service member.

Diversity among service members

The military community has finally moved into the 21st Century, allowing women to serve in all job fields. Equality among different races, religions, and genders was inconceivable in the 1950’s, when the country still treated many groups as second class citizens.

All relationships are valid

Thankfully, the modern military is more accepting of all types of multi-cultural and LGBT relationships. Straight and gay couples have equal benefits under the law.

We don’t wear white gloves anymore

Military spouses are much less restricted than they were during grandparents’ time. We can host a formal dinner. . . but are more likely to throw a fun backyard BBQ. Some of us have beautiful taste for interior decorating. . . but if the house is messy when friends come over, that’s okay too. We can get classy for a military ball. . . or rock yoga pants and a messy bun if we choose. Military spouses don’t spend deployments pining for their lover: They get jobs, earn degrees, pursue hobbies, start organizations, and make waves in the military and civilian communities. They are movers and shakers, in ways that couldn’t be imagined in the 1950’s. That is progress worth celebrating!

Lizann Lightfoot is an associate editor at Military One Click and a Marine Corps spouse. She can be reached at lizann@militaryoneclick.com.

3 Comments

Pretty much none of these are valid. Spouses are not assumed to be women, spouses have their own careers and lives, you do NOT need a marriage certificate to have a baby, spouses don’t have a dress code, and housing across the entire service has been rebuilt in the last 10 years. So yeah, the only one living in the 1950s is the writer.

Almost all of them are valid. That’s not what they meant about having a baby, they said “the military will not let families move into base housing or have a baby at the base hospital without an official marriage certificate.” Yes, there is actually a dress code, but it’s for anyone in general that goes onto a base. The whole dress and heels for a ceremony thing is not mandatory but it’s a cultural expectation, and no housing has not been rebuilt across the entire service. Lmao. Maybe for senior officer housing and senior enlisted, but not for some lower officers and definately not lower enlisted housing.

Obviously the real world is a combination of both of the first two comments. We all have seen each results about everywhere in and out of the USA.
Many can show that the non-local culture flourishes in military and civilian areas. Most locals like to be able to go “home” and then still visit or shop the world market without long and expensive travel each time.
Modern improvements in media and shipping with new transportation helps local and transient people with their families.
Skip Albee